. >> suarez: next, a follow-up to our story last friday about an austin, texas, neighborhood that uses "smart grid" technology to track and control its energy consumption. not everyone thinks that's a good idea. newshour correspondent spencer michels reports on some california activists who'd like to see the devices banned. >> reporter: fairfax, california-- a small, hip, politically liberal, environmentally concerned town in marin county, across the golden gate from san francisco. it's the home of valerie hood, a landscaper and activist who decided that the local utility's decision to replace her traditional gas and electric meters posed a danger to her. she doesn't want a new one-- a so-called smart meter-- that reads how much energy is being used, and transmits the figures to pacific gas and electric via radio signals. pg&e has installed nine million smart meters in northern california, part of a $2.2 billion program. it has been touted as a way to save money and energy, because the transmitted information can be used to monitor home energy use. that allows residents to use applianc